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N 0 S L A R S A H W E M M m GRAIN CRADLE.

Patented May 23, 1882.

WITNESSES IN VENTOR.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERNDON W. HARALSON, OF LA GRANGE, GEORGIA.

GRAIN-CRADLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent .No. 258,230, dated May 23, 1882.

Application filed March 20, 1882. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HERNDONW. HARAL- s0N,.of LaGrange, in the county of Troup and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Cradles and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

'Figure l is a perspective view of a scythe equipped with my improved cradle, and Fig. 2 is an end view of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre-,

sponding parts in both figures. This invention relates to grain-cradles; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction of the same, which will be hereinat' ter fully described, an d partirularl y pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings hereto annexed, A represents the handle, and B the blade, of a scythe to which my improved grain cradle is attached.

O is an upright, made of light but strong wood, and secured at the end of handle A. Said upright is provided with a set of horizontal fingers, D, projecting laterally over the blade of the scythe and approximately parallel thereto and to each other, as shown. The fingers D are connected at a short distance from the upright C by a vertical brace, E, and they are also connected by horizontal bracerods F with an upright, G, secured near the end of handle A and nearly parallel to the upright 0. A curved or diagonal brace, H,con-

nects the upper ends of the uprights O G with the handle A, as shown. A brace, I, also connects the lowermost finger, D, with the blade of the scythe.

J J are strands or fingersof lightbutstrong wire arranged horizontally between the fingers D of the cradle. The innercnds of the wires J are secured to the upright C. At in termediate points they are connected with each other and with the fingers D by twisted wires K, and their outer ends are likewiseconnected together and to the fingers D, at a short distance from the points of the latter, by a twisted wire, L. The latter is, however, by drawing the horizontal wires J taut, caused to bulge inwardly between the points of the teeth D, which will thus readily pass into the grain Without being obstructed by the said wire 'L. One or more of the wires J may be arranged between each pair of fingers I) thus materially reducing the space between said fingers without adding much to the weight of the device.

In grain-cradles as ordinarily constructed, of asimple frame-work of wood, much difficulty is often experienced on account of the grain passing between the fingers of the cradle and thus being lost. By my invention this difficulty is obviated, and the addition to the weight and expense of the cradle is but trifling.

Havingthus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by LettersPatent of the United States 1. In a grain-cradle, the combination of the horizontal fingers D, intermediate horizontal wires,J,and twisted wiresKL, connecting said wires J together and to the fingers D, as set forth.

2. In a grain-cradle having the fingers D and intermediate wires, J, the combination therewith of the twisted wire L, connecting said wires and fingers near the points of the latter, and caused by drawing the wires J taut to bulge inwardly between the fingers, as set forth.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

HERNDON WESLEY HARALSON.

Witnesses:

BLOUNT G. FENELL, WILLIAM J. RINGER. 

